Parking system and structure

ABSTRACT

A modular parking system having an elevated deck in an airspace above an existing grade. The system is made up of a plurality of basic modules, with each module having 4 columns connected with 4 girders supporting a deck between them. Optimally, the girders span in alternating directions, module to module.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to parking systems and structures.

BACKGROUND

Parking lots take up valuable real estate, and generally produce a value or revenue out of proportion to the market value and return potential of the land, especially in developing commercial centers. Traditional multilevel parking structures however are prohibitively expensive, and take the parking lot land out of income production during the relatively long construction process.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed parking system doubles the capacity of large overcrowded parking areas by adding low-cost elevated decks in the airspace above the existing parking. It is a modular system of conventional structural components arranged in an extraordinary way, providing an attractive and cost effective alternative to conventionally designed and constructed parking structures. It is an efficient and aesthetically harmonious addition to most any environment, designed to be quickly erected with minimum disruption to existing or surrounding facilities. The disclosed parking system minimizes environmental impacts because it utilizes unused airspace, conserving land area and prevents parking ‘spread’. Since it shelters existing parking areas, the existing underground systems, with minimum alteration, may be reused.

The combined effects of these characteristics make the disclosed parking system a logical choice to alleviate overcrowded conditions of many on-grade parking areas. It may be easily configured to fit many parking layouts, especially park and ride lots. The choices between disclosed systems I and II are best decided by consideration of several factors, including site topography and soil conditions; seismic criteria; local codes; local availability and cost of some materials; as well as construction preferences of Client and/or Contractor. Systems I and II are further disclosed below.

Parking System I & II

A square or rectangular arrangement of 4 columns connected with 4 girders support the area of deck between them. This arrangement is the “Basic Module” from which larger areas of elevated parking deck are built. Any arrangement of 2 or more “Basic” modules, whether of System 1 or of System 2 or mixture of these, may be used to provide the desired area and arrangement of Bonus Parking. All horizontal elements are long clear-spanning members to minimize intrusion and obstruction at on-grade parking level. Throughout this disclosure, it may be assumed that use of the term ‘columns’ optionally includes other known vertical supports, such as for instance intersecting shear walls.

The primary elements of the ‘Basic Module’ are: Foundations, Columns and Girders. The secondary elements are: Joists, Slabs and Railings. Joist framing between girders span in alternating directions, module to module, in a checkerboard fashion to deliver approximately equal loadings to all girders except for the 50% of perimeter girders that receive no load from (abutting) joists. Access ramps and stairways are separate elements to be developed as parts of the BPS according to the demands and opportunities of the site.

Optimally, each Basic Module is square, rectangular, and preferably a set of 9 Basic Modules arrayed in a 3×3 configuration establishes a preferred ‘Basic Set’ to be combined with other Basic Sets as necessary to build up, in either or both directions, the desired overall parking area desired. The Basic Sets within the overall structure are further structurally defined by thermal expansion/seismic joints surrounding each set.

Parking System I

All columns of System I preferably provide both gravity and two-way lateral (seismic and wind) support for the parking structure by means of the strength, stiffness and overturning resistence of its columns that cantilever upward from stabilizing foundations.

Parking System II

In System II preferably only the 4 central columns of a ‘3×3 Set’ (of nine modules) resist all forces by means of their two-way moment resistance interaction with the girders overhead and their two-way moment resistance with the foundations below. These interactions, one at girder level, and one at foundation level, combined to provide all the overturning resistence necessary to stability while the remaining columns at the perimeter of the 3×3 Set support only gravity loads.

Parking System III

In System III, every girder and vertical support are part of a movement registering frame that resists all lateral forces. Foundations for this system resist all horizontal or vertical forces, but without any significant overturning resistance.

Advantages of Disclosed Parking Systems

Environmental: Utilizes present parking sites-reduces or eliminates land acquisition

-   -   No zoning or height restrictions (low profile)     -   Minimizes walking distance to/from vehicle     -   No significant environmental impacts (same use, same area)     -   With minor alteration reuses existing drainage system     -   Saves land for other uses, limits parking area sprawl

Flexibility: Planning flexibility-can be configured to fit most on-grade parking lots

-   -   Flexibility of materials-can respond to local economics and         conditions     -   Flexibility of Basic Module, Basic Set sizes and arrangement     -   Flexibility of parking layout-widely and approximately equally         spaced cols in both directions allowing complete freedom of         parking orientation

Design Features: Minimum design, detailing, and construction time

-   -   Simple, extremely repetitive, design scheme     -   Symmetrical, balance support of all gravity and lateral forces     -   Flat parking areas closely paralleling existing parking         gradients     -   Optimized spacing of integral, combined thermal         expansion/seismic joints     -   Attractive low-key architectural appearance

Cost: Build in a very short time period with ‘standard’ elements

-   -   Minimum disruption of existing parking lot use for construction         activity     -   Minimum cost with quicker return on investment. Low cost         maintenance

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a set of diagrams of set/module arrangements.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematics of a preferred 3×3 set arrangement, showing alternating girder spans.

FIG. 4 is schematic of a preferred basic module.

FIG. 5 is schematic of a preferred bottom bearing.

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a preferred top flange moment transfer plate.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a moment connections on a column connected to a bottom flange.

FIG. 8 is a schematic of a simple girder to column connection.

FIG. 9 is a schematic section through a column top moment connection.

FIG. 10 is a schematic of an alternate rigid frame set.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a set of diagrams of set/module arrangements, illustrating the ability of the system to be configured to multiple geometric shapes of existing parking areas. FIGS. 1B, 1D and 1E depict 2 modules, 6 modules and 7 modules in straight line configurations respectively. In FIGS. 1A, 1C and 1D, typical basic modules are shown combined in 9 module 3×3 configurations, as described in the Disclosure of the Invention section, and hereafter referred to as “sets”. FIG. 1F illustrates 3 such sets in a straight line configuration. FIG. 1C illustrates 6 sets in an “L” configuration and FIG. 1A illustrates a 5 set combination. These figures are merely representative of set and module arrangements available through the system. Almost any right angle polygon can be created.

FIGS. 2 is a schematic of a preferred 3×3 basic set arrangement. Squares defined by small circles at the 4 corners are basic modules. The exterior lines of these squares illustrate girders and the small circles illustrate columns. 9 basic modules are combined such that joists are arranged in the alternating patterns illustrated by the interior lines contained within the squares. Typical girders and typical columns are used throughout. Simple connections are used to connect girders to column tops.

FIGS. 3 is a schematic of an alternate preferred 3×3 basic set arrangement, using the same illustration elements used in FIG. 2 above. 9 basic modules are shown, combined such that joists meet in the alternating pattern illustrated. As in FIG. 2, typical columns and girders are used throughout. Unlike FIG. 2, moment connections are used to connect the interior columns, which, in this case, are the 4 columns at the corners of the center basic module (illustrated as shaded in FIG. 3). In this way, the shaded central structure provides lateral support for the set.

FIG. 4 is schematic of a preferred basic module. Small squares at the corners of the exterior square depict standard columns. The exterior sides of the square illustrate standard girders. The horizontal lines subdividing the exterior square illustrate joists. In a combination, of basic modules, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the direction of the joists are alternated 90 degrees to one another in a checkerboard fashion every other module. In addition, 36LH15@7 ⁹ =8 Spaces and 1=7 BISTS.

FIG. 5 is schematic of a preferred bottom bearing and moment transfer plate connecting girders to a column. The two congruent squares at the center of the drawing illustrate the column. The 4 cut-away rectangular figures parallel to the sides of the square illustrate girders converging on the column. From the cut-away edges the girders extend inward towards the center of the column and end in T-shaped set of lines within the girder rectangles illustrating the interior vertical walls of the girders, or girder webs, and the girder stiffeners proximate the end of the girders. The octagonal figure intersected by the girders illustrates the bottom plate.

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a preferred top flange moment transfer plate connecting girders to a column. The circle at the center of the drawing illustrates a grout hole. The 4 cut-away rectangular figures illustrate girders converging on the column. The circle is at the center of two squares. The inner square illustrates the column. The outer square illustrates a top plate atop the column and below the top flanges of the girders. From the cut-away edges the girders extend inward towards the center of the column. The interior vertical walls of the girders, or girder webs, and girder stiffeners are depicted by the T-shaped dotted lines within the girder rectangles exterior to the square depicting the top plate. The girder webs end in a girder stiffener before the girder laps onto the top plate. The top flanges of the girder extend beyond the stiffeners to lap the top plate as illustrated.

FIG. 7 is an isometric schematic of a moment connection on a column. The bottom cut-away square box illustrates the column. In the illustration, the column continues through the octagonal bottom flange plate of FIG. 5, shown partially with dotted and partially with solid lines. The top plate of FIG. 6 is illustrated resting atop the column. Resting on the bottom flange plate are 4 girders. 2 girders are illustrated with their top flanges resting at approximately 2:00 and 8:00 on the top plate. The 2 girders illustrated with their top flanges resting at approximately 5:00 and 11:00 on the top plate are shown without the girder webs, stiffeners and bottom flanges for the sake of clarity.

FIG. 8 is a schematic of a simple girder to column connection, used with gravity-only columns with System II described in the Disclosure of the Invention section. The cut-away center rectangle illustrates a column. There is a grout hole centered in the column. The 2 cut-away rectangles on either side of the column illustrate girders. The 2 small rectangles on either side of the column containing plus signs illustrate double angle connecting “L” brackets, located back to back on either side of the girder webs. In addition, there is a double angle weld connection to HSS column. Further instructions are to use LSL adjacent to Thermal Seismic joints and to use NSL at all interior locations.

FIG. 9 is a schematic vertical section through a moment connection at the top of a column of System II as described in the Disclosure of the Invention section. The cut-away center rectangle illustrates a column. At the top of the column, congruent to the top edge is illustrated a top plate extending slightly beyond the column top dimensions. The 2 cut-away rectangles on either side of the column illustrate girders. The top most side of the girders illustrates a top girder flange overlapping the top plate at the top of the column. The bottom side of the rectangles illustrating the girders are the bottom flanges of the girders. Directly beneath the bottom flanges of the girders are shaded rectangles illustrating a bottom plate through which the column passes and upon which the bottom girder flanges rest. The two smaller non-shaded rectangles on either side of the column, and below the rectangles illustrating the bottom plate, illustrate standard integral girder corbels. These rest upon another plate through which the girder passes, illustrated by shaded rectangles beneath the girder corbels.

FIG. 10A is a schematic plan of a rigid frame set. Lines labeled “RF” illustrate rigid frames. Arrows labeled “J” illustrate joists and their longitudinal directions. In addition, DL 60 psf and LL 40 psf (IBC). Seismic shear/RF leg is taken @ 12^(k). There are 4 legs per footing as illustrated in FIG. 10C.

FIG. 10B is a schematic cut-away side view of a rigid frame set. The central figure of the drawing illustrates one grid. The polygonal figure on the right is a cut-away portion of another grid adjacent to this one. A clearance between the two is illustrated. The topmost horizontal line of the central figure illustrates the top of the slab. The horizontal line directly beneath the top of the slab illustrates the top of the joists. The horizontal line directly beneath the top of the joists illustrates the top of the rigid frame. A triangle is drawn in the center of the drawing with a dotted line for the two upper legs and the lower leg drawn solid. All legs illustrate the rigid frame's Soffit locations. Beneath the lower solid leg of the triangle is the ceiling clearance.

FIG. 10C is a schematic plan detailing the rigid frame legs at the footing. The diamond shapes illustrate base plates. A 2″ clearance between the plates is typical. 

1. A modular parking system having an elevated deck in an airspace above an existing grade, the system comprising a plurality of basic modules, each module further comprising 4 columns connected with 4 girders supporting a deck between them, the girders spanning in alternating directions, from one module to an adjacent module. 